House OKs stopgap FAA funding

The House on Tuesday quickly passed legislation that would keep both the Federal Aviation Administration running and other transportation projects funded for another few months.

The agreement, struck late Friday by leaders in the House and Senate, gives the FAA about $5.4 billion until Jan. 31 and funds transportation projects through March by about $20 billion. It also extends the federal gas tax through the end of March. The bill passed by voice vote.

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The deal, which still must be passed by the Senate, would avoid a partial shutdown of FAA similar to what happened this summer, when 4,000 agency workers were furloughed and millions in airline taxes went uncollected.

Exactly when the Senate will take up the bill is not yet clear. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said Tuesday afternoon that he’s “trying to do it as fast as I can.”

House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman John Mica (R-Fla.), noting Tuesday’s vote marked a 22nd extension of FAA funding and an eighth extension of transportation funding, vowed to push through longer-term bills for both.

“This isn’t a time to bicker. This is a time to put people back to work,” he said.

House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman John Mica (R-Fla.), noting Tuesday’s vote marked a 22nd extension of FAA funding and an eighth extension of transportation funding, vowed to push through longer-term bills for both.

“This isn’t a time to bicker. This is a time to put people back to work,” he said.

Wow! Good for you, Mr Mica - however, expect a call from "Turtle" McConnell - to remind you of the prime directive - to defeat President Obama, and that anarchy, not common sense, is what you should aspire to.